The struggles for Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy continued in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers, completing 12 of 19 passes for just 87 yards and throwing two interceptions while taking five sacks in the 23-6 loss at Lambeau Field on November 23.
Minnesota had a tough day on offense, managing just six points in the first half and failing to score in the second. The Vikings’ defense fought to stay competitive, but the Packers kept piling on points, eventually putting the game beyond reach.
After the loss to the Packers, Aaron Jones Sr. came to McCarthy’s defense, saying he wouldn’t allow the young quarterback to take all the criticism for their performance.
“On the sideline, I told him, ‘Keep your head up. I’m proud of you. It’s not all on you,’” Jones told reporters after the loss. “It’s everybody’s job around him to make his job easier, and we didn’t do that today. We just have to go back to the drawing board, continue to work, keep our process right, and stick together.”
Moreover, Jones also had words for Justin Jefferson, who is also experiencing struggles on this offense.
“[Jefferson] handles it well,“ Jones added. “He’s just trying to keep the guys up on the sideline, keep them going, letting us know, hey, take it one play at a time. All that needs to be done is one play. Make one play and things will get snowballing. And just trying to keep guys in it.
“He’s one of our true leaders, and you’ll never see him cussing anybody out on the sideline or doing any of that. Justin, he’s always there trying to lift people up or get them going.”
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Remains Confident
Following the Green Bay game, McCarthy spoke about his confidence, despite ongoing difficulties and being limited to only 87 passing yards.
“Confidence is always high, no matter what, because the guy’s in that room, because of the trust and faith in my abilities,“ McCarthy told reporters postgame. “We have to put things together, keep putting days together, plays together, and execute better at the end of the day.”
Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Backs His QB
With a 4-7 record, removing McCarthy at this stage wouldn’t make sense. The playoffs are out of reach, shifting the focus to the young quarterback proving he can lead next season. As the 2025 NFL season winds down, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell continues to express full confidence in him.
“It’s all about his preparation,” O’Connell told reporters after the loss. “It’s all about going back to work and understanding, ‘Hey, this is a new week, very tough road trip ahead of us. We’re going to need our quarterback to have the best week of preparation out of anybody on our team.‘ But then we also need all the other phases of our team and the other guys in that huddle with them to do the same, and just keep on staying the course.
“When we find improvement, when we find consistent examples of it, let’s not be in a position where we’re ever going to be a team that celebrates that short-term success. We’re going to be a team that needs to just continue to press onward and execute even better and do your job even better.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Vikings’ Aaron Jones Sr. Makes Feelings Clear on J.J. McCarthy appeared first on Heavy Sports.